January 5, 2011

The Bodymedia is an interesting small device that keeps track of your activities and helps you get fit easier and quicker using technology. The small device connects using Bluetooth so the device is sure to be compatible with all current and future mobile devices. The device might even find other uses since I am sure the data would be simple to extract and use for any purpose desired.

You burn calories differently than anyone else, which is why cookie-cutter weight loss programs may not be working for you. BodyMedia FIT weight management system collects 9,000 data points a minute to capture your individual metabolic profile. This personalized info helps you pinpoint what actions you need to take to reach your weight loss goals.”

Just like to bodybugg. It is NOT Free (well yet). That App is FREE, BUT the data is from their PAY online service. Without the online service the bug is currently USELESS. The bugs monitor your body day and night. After about two days the internal memory fills up and needs to be connected to your PC, data downloadedm memory cleared, and the data sent to the online service for processing and sharing on their FREE Apps. Check for the keyword FREEBUGG, to see how others are attempting to hack.

I love my FIT and wished I could upgrade to the new generation, since it’s real-time. BUT, as for getting to the raw data, it has to be done through a hack. BodyMedia only allows users of the medical version of the device (“SenseWear”) to access the raw data out of the box. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like anyone has provided a method of hacking it in a while, even though the device is one of the better automated tools for life-logging. The only case I can find is one person who hacked it and got to the pre-processing raw data about two years ago, but he abandoned it fairly quickly thereafter for some reason.

The BodyMedia business model is betting on your need to know what the BodyBug, BodyMediaFit, GoWear Fit, SenseWear (all same devices just connected to different web sites) collects, but except for SenseWear (pseudo-medical device for ‘professionals’ = read value added service), they are not going to give it to you. In truth their model is to provide paid service for running a spread sheet for you with balance of your calories. Definitely useful. The university grade research shows that the device overestimates the calories burned by some 17%. This may improve with firmware (I do not know if its flushable) if BodyMedia pays for some more research.
But the BodyMedia devices (those without Bluetooth) do have a 2.4 GHz 1 mW radio. This is how the device connects with the optional watch type monitor. This should be a hackable signal.
It is possible that Bluetooth replaced that signal. We paid for the device and its content is ours. Of course BodyMedia will do everything not to make it easy. They have the right to want our money, but there are many others who want it too – it is our choice if we are going to give it to them. I for one do not like to be cornered like that. My data is mine. And if BodyBug wants to sell additional service in form of smart spreadsheet I’ll be the first to willingly subscribe for it if its worth it.
SO LET THE HACKING BEGIN.

I have the Body Media device and I LOVED IT until it stopped syncing to my computer. I called and emailed and called and emailed Body Media’s customer service and I haven’t heard anything back from them. I’m so upset!! NO CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! Very bad. I just want help trouble shooting so I can enjoy the device and my weight loss. TO BAD.

The same thing happened to me. LOVED my armband and suddenly it stopped syncing to my computer. Customer service said that it had happened to a bunch of other people. He gave me a few things to try… none of which worked. Then he suggested I systematically un-install all of my software and re-install it.